Mental Health Information – Resource Therapy

February 7, 2024February 7, 2024

Unlocking the Power of Memory Reconsolidation with Resource Therapy

Broken brain or faulty Memory that needs rewiring. Resource Therapy offers Memory Reconsolidation Photo by That's Her Business on Unsplash

Applying Neuroscience Advances in Psychotherapy.

In the realm of psychotherapy, innovative approaches continuously emerge, promising more profound healing and lasting change. Among these, Resource Therapy stands out as a particularly effective modality, especially when understood through the lens of the latest neuroscience research on memory consolidation.

Let’s explore Resource Therapy and what I call the Empowerment Protocol as to how to apply these neuroscientific insights to facilitate deep psychological healing.

Understanding Memory Reconsolidation

Memory reconsolidation, a groundbreaking concept in neuroscience, refers to the process by which recalled memories become malleable and can be altered before being stored again. This process underscores the brain’s adaptability and its capacity for profound change, suggesting that when we recall a memory, especially a traumatic one, it’s possible to modify the memory before it’s reconsolidated, potentially diminishing its emotional impact. (Alberini & Ledoux, 2013).

Research indicates emotional memory has an association with many emotional disorders – PTSD, Depression Anxiety, and Addictions. (Brewin, 2011; Williams, et al. 2007) This offers therapists insightful implications in the psychological treatment of these pervasive and debilitating conditions which are substantially on the rise globally. (Schwabe, L., Nader, K., & Pruessner, J. C. (2014).

The Intersection of Resource Therapy and Neuroscience

Founded on the premise that our personality is composed of various parts, each with its own role and emotions, Resource Therapy taps into the principles of memory consolidation for lasting results.

Resource Therapy guides individuals to engage with specific personality parts associated with distressing memories. By safely accessing and expressing these parts with a Resource Therapy’s therapeutic setting, utilizing the Empowerment protocol, clients can revisit painful memories, reprocess, and adapt them, creating a new relationship with past trauma.

The Steps of Memory Reconsolidation in Resource Therapy

The integration of memory reconsolidation in Resource Therapy unfolds in several stages:

Activation of the Memory: Identifying and activating the memory part that harbours distress, making the memory accessible and amenable to change.
Integration of New Learning: Introducing new, positive experiences or perspectives to challenge the original narrative associated with the memory.
Consolidation for Change: Integrating these new insights allows the client’s psyche to reconsolidate the memory with a healthier, more adaptive outlook, fundamentally altering the emotional impact of the original memory.

What that looks like in Practice – the Empowerment Protocol

Clinically trained Resource Therapists work with the part of the personality directly, we use a process called Vivify Specific. A fantastic way to talk to the part desiring change.

Diagnose the Disturbance: As psychotherapists, we understand the presenting issue of fear or rejection almost always has its roots in childhood. The RT term for these parts holding unwanted emotion is Vaded. Resource Therapy (RT) Action 1 tells us what direction we will take in the therapy, perfectly guiding us with a therapeutic road map.
Bridging: As opposed to accessing a cognitive memory, by thinking about the issue. Resource Therapists are trained to isolate a somatic sensory experience memory (SEM) (Emmerson, 2014). Once this part is out on deck, we bridge to the unhappy or traumatic event.
Empowerment Phase for Reconsolidation: This is invariably a childhood scene. We then deploy RT Actions 4, 5, 6 (if necessary), 7 of the Empowerment Protocol. Here the therapist actively facilitates the child’s state to have a voice, and get its needs met from another internal resource.

Clinical Implications and Benefits

Leveraging memory reconsolidation within Resource Therapy offers a pathway to significantly reduce emotional distress and promote lasting mental health improvements, facilitating a deep, structural neurobiological change in how distressing memories are perceived and felt, leading to transformative healing.

Resource Therapy is a game-changer. With the Empowerment Protocol, we are potentially repairing attachment wounding at its source.

Parting Thoughts

The innovative integration of neuroscience and Resource Therapy opens new avenues for addressing psychological issues, providing a potent tool for therapists and clients alike, aiming for not just symptomatic relief but genuine, enduring change.

Using neuroscience, we can rewire our brains, effectively changing our minds.

With memory reconsolidation our part’s old hurts and harms are reprocessed gently with compassion and respect, creating a new future and a different relationship to the past. We are free to have the best part out on deck, to suit the occasion with the skills and ability to live life according to our values.

Learn how Resource Therapy uses neuroscience to change your mind with memory reconsolidation - psychotherapy evidence based treatments Photo by Bret Kavanaugh on Unsplash

Be the Captain of your ship navigating life’s journey, chart a course for freedom today.

Come and join us at our next Clinical Training to discover the power of parts therapy!

Visit our Training Program page here.

References

Alberini, C. M., & Ledoux, J. E. (2013). Memory reconsolidation. Current biology : CB, 23(17), R746–R750. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2013.06.046

Brewin C. R. (2011). The nature and significance of memory disturbance in posttraumatic stress disorder. Annual review of clinical psychology, 7, 203–227. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032210-104544

Emmerson. G. E, (2014). Resource Therapy Primer. Blackwood. Old Golden Point Road. – Here are Gordon’s books

Schwabe, L., Nader, K., & Pruessner, J. C. (2014). Reconsolidation of human memory: brain mechanisms and clinical relevance. Biological psychiatry, 76(4), 274–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.03.008

Williams, J. M., Barnhofer, T., Crane, C., Herman, D., Raes, F., Watkins, E., & Dalgleish, T. (2007). Autobiographical memory specificity and emotional disorder. Psychological bulletin, 133(1), 122–148. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.133.1.122

November 16, 2023November 15, 2023

Cultivating Wellness: Harnessing Resource Therapy to Transform Distress and Behavioral Challenges

Resource Therapy’s effectiveness in dealing with parts in distress or behavioral disturbances is significantly enhanced by its specific action steps and targeted interventions:

Diagnosis and Identification: The therapy begins with a precise diagnosis and identification of the part in distress. This involves understanding the part’s role, its emotional state, and how it’s contributing to the client’s current challenges. Such clear identification is a crucial first step that sets the stage for targeted interventions. Here we deploy RT 15 Treatment actions.
Direct Communication with Distressed Parts: Resource Therapy facilitates respectful direct communication with the distressed part. This interaction allows the therapist and client to understand the part’s needs, fears, and motivations, leading to more effective treatment strategies, and enhancing self-compassion.
State-Specific Interventions: Resource Therapy uses state-specific interventions tailored to the condition of the distressed part. These interventions are designed to be directly relevant to the part’s current state, ensuring that the therapy is both efficient and effective. RT Therapists know the conditions can change from wounded to a sense of safety and peace.
Negotiation and Reconciliation: The therapy involves negotiation and reconciliation between parts. This step is vital in cases where behavioral disturbances arise from internal conflicts or imbalances between different parts. The key is Retro State Negotiation or our conflicted State protocol.
Empowering the Parts: Resource Therapy focuses on empowering the parts, particularly those that are distressed or causing behavioral issues. By strengthening these parts and helping them fulfill their roles more effectively, the therapy aims to reduce symptoms and improve overall functioning.
Integration and Resolution: A key goal in Resource Therapy is to integrate the distressed part back into the personality system in a healthier, more harmonious way. This integration is crucial for the long-term resolution of the issues and for preventing recurrence.
Action-Oriented Techniques: The therapy includes specific, action-oriented techniques such as role-playing or re-experiencing past events in a safe environment. These techniques help the client to directly confront and resolve the issues associated with the distressed part.
Creating New Responses: Resource Therapy aims to create new, healthier responses and behaviors. By working with the part in distress, the client learns to develop alternative ways of reacting and coping, which are more adaptive and less disruptive.
Feedback and Adjustment: Throughout the process, there is continuous feedback and adjustment of strategies based on the client’s response. This ensures that the therapy remains relevant and effective for the client’s unique needs.

By employing these specific action steps, Resource Therapy provides a structured yet flexible framework for addressing parts in distress or behavioral disturbances. This approach not only helps in resolving current issues but also equips clients with the tools to manage future challenges more effectively.

Ready to Embrace Change?
Join us on a journey of transformation and healing. Discover how Resource Therapy can empower you or your clients to overcome distress and behavioral challenges. Whether you’re seeking personal growth or professional development, our training programs and therapeutic sessions are tailored to meet your needs. Don’t let distress hold you back any longer. Contact us today to learn more about our Resource Therapy services and training programs, or subscribe to our newsletter for insightful updates and tips on cultivating wellness. Let’s work together to harness the power of your inner resources!

January 7, 2023

Welcome 2023! How about some Inspiration for Your Parts,

Hello dear parts therapists, was there a part’s party at New Years’ or a tired one that went to bed well before midnight? My inspo part is out and sharing something wonderful if you are still in R and R, which I do hope you are dear one.

Chris and I were in NZ visiting our family on the Thames/Coromandel coast. So much delicious food and a relaxing time with the whanau.

On our return flight (after a two-hour delay on the tarmac in Auckland mind.) I watched the most brilliant movie and cried four times by my count.

Dame Valerie Adam’s soulful tribute to her mother. What a woman, wife, mother, and sports legend of NZ. She shares her heart with the love, losses, and liberation in the movie “More Than Gold.” This is platinum viewing five stars. Suitable family viewing.

Dame Valerie Adams’ a kiwi of Anglo and Tongan descent shares her incredible medal and life journey so candidly. With gratitude Dame Valerie. And a massive shout out to the director, producer, and all involved in filmmaking.